Two-wheeled vehicle.



V. C. KOONS. Two WHL-BLEU VEHICLE. APPLIOATION PILE!) NOV. 17, 1911.

1,126,033. Patented M1126, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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WHA/wonen *A 730% @511, J attorney 1HE MORRIS PE'TERS CO.. PHorO-LTHa., wAsHlNaTc/v. D. C.

V. C. KOONS.

TWO WHEELED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED 11011.17, 1911.

1, 126,033. Patented 113111.26, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE NORRIS PETERS Ca, PHoTn-LJTHQ WASHINGTON, D. CA

V. C. KOONS.

TWO WHEELBD VEHICLE. APPLICATION 'FILED N0v.17,1911.

l 26,033, Patented M1126, P M.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO'. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, C.

V. C. KOONS.

TWO WHEBLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 17, 1911.

Patented' Jan. 26, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHBET 4.

13u00/Moz 1% 61 A500776 Hof/mm3 YHE NURRIS PETERS CO., PHo'rO-LlTHO. WASHINIJON. D. C.

i VIRG-IL C. KOONS, 0F COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE.

Application filed November 17, 1911.

To all 'ui/'wm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, VIRGIL C. KooNs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Colorado Springs, El Paso county, Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Two-Iheeled Vehicles;

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in two wheeled vehicles; andthe objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I n ow consider to be my preferred embodiment from among other formations and arrangements within the spirit and scope of my invention.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings ,-F igure l, is a perspective of a twowheeled vehicle embodying my invention, and disclosing one form of load-carrying body. Figs. 2, 3, and 4, are perspective views of two-wheeled vehicles embodying my invention and respectively provided with different kinds or forms of yload carrying bodies. Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, are views illustrating details of the running gear construction and the manner of coupling the body thereto, and involving features of my invention common to the various vehicles illustrated las-well as to forms not illus-v trated.

In the accompanying drawings, the running gear comprises axle l, carried by the two wheels 2, and the thills 3, curving downwardly and rearwardly to the axle and coupled to the end portions thereof. At a point in front of the vehicle body the two thills are rigidly secured together bythe horizontal rigid cross bar 4, usually traversing the under edges of the straight upper portions of the thills and fixed thereto.l

The thills and cross `bar are braced and strengthened by horizontal brace 5, at its front ends rigidly fixed to the thills ,respectively, and at its center rigidly fixed to the central portion of the cross bar; is usually termed a half circle. On the op- Specication of Letters Patent.

This brace Patented Jan. 26, limb?.

Serial No. 660,822.

posite end portions of the axle and adjacent to the inner sides of the thills, I provide a pair of elliptical springs 6. The lower halves of these springs rest on and are suitably clipped or clamped to the axle as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

On the opposite sides of the body and between the same and the thills, I provide a pair of approximately horizontally-disposed, longitudinally-arranged verticallyflexible stiff plate springs 7, at their front ends traversing the under edges of the cross bar 4t, and half circle 5, and fixedly bolted or otherwise secured thereto, and at their rear ends arranged longitudinally of and above and resting on the central portions of the upper halves of the elliptical springs and flxedly secured thereto, as by pairs of clips or clamps 8. If so desired, the rear ends of these plate springs 7, can be curled to form transverse eyes 9, for the reception or attachment of the connecting eyes or loops l0, or l0', at the upper ends of depending body sustaining coiled springs l1.

B, indicates generally any suitable load carrying body arranged between the elliptical springs, and extending either over or under the axle but freely vertically movable independently thereof and not being directly mounted thereon.

At a point intermediate its length and in rear of the axle, I provide the body with a rigid bottom cross bar 12, iixedly secured thereto and at its ends projecting beyond the sides thereof preferably to points directly below the elliptical springs and rear ends of the side springs. The bar ends arepreferably' formed with strong rigid loops 13, or other means for the attachment of the lower end eyes or loops ofthe vertically-disposed body sustaining heavy coiled springs 11.

- i The frontend of the body extends forwardly to a point closely behind the cross bar 4t, and is pivotally coupled to the forward portion of the running gear to swing formed ,with vertical series of alined transverse bolt holespl., adapted to receive a removable transverse pivot or coupling bolt 1G. This bolt can be vertically adjusted to any pair of bolt holes to raise or depress 'the front end' of the body with respect to the fronttransverse pivot oi-,axis on which it swings.

Apair of parallel longitudinally arranged inetal plates or bars 17, traverse the under faces of, and each is rigidly secured to the half circle and cross -bar 4. Said bars project rearwardly froin the cross bar, to enter said bracketsror clevises 14, respectively. .Each coupling bar 17, is formed at its :projecting rear end with a transverse eye 18, -to fit between the flanges of a clevis and register with any pair of bolt holes 15, there- A of, and removably receive and turn on the fpivot bolt 16, of such clevis` and thus establish the pivotal coupling between the riu'ining gear and vehicle body.

lf so desired, any suitable anti-rattling devices 19, can be provided to prevent looseness and rattling of the couplings and pivot `bolts in the clevises. The pivotal couplings l between the relevated front portion of the body and the yfront elevated vportion of the running gear, might be otherwise arranged than by having the coupling bars enter between vertical fianges of the clevises or brackets to brace and stiffen the body against undue lateral play. y

lt will benoted` thattlie body is susiended from the side and elliptical springs through the medium of the coiled springs and is upheld solelyby the front pivoted couplings in connection with the coiled springs. The coiled springs are arranged to han(T as near -th'e vertical osition as v n b 1 possible and are confined against excessive lateral play by the upper elongated eyesV or loops 10, loosely embracing the velliptical springs, 4or by arranging the springs in pairs,I the f springs of each pair being arranged on opposite sides of the elliptical f spring and coupledv together at their upper ends Vand to the side spring eye by yoke or loop' 10, straddling the `top 4half of the ellipti'calspring. The weight of the load on the body is carried primarily` by the coiled. springs `yieldingly supported of course bythe elliptical springs and the side springs, and' as the body yields vertically,

it swings on the transverse axis coupling its front endto the coupling gear.

y Material advantages are attained by providing `for the vertical adjustment of the body with respect to the transverse axisof the coupling between thev front end vof the body and the running gear for the purpose of shifting the leverage o f the body on the coiled spring `supports thereof. y For instance, if a'he'avy load on the body causes undue downward movement thereof, this can be remedied by elevating the pivot bolts 1G, thatis, removing them, depressing the front end of the body, and reinserting the bolts in higher bolt holes 15, than those ploying the plate'or bar side springs rigidly secured at their front ends to the forward portion of the running gear and at their rear ends to the elliptical springs as these springs cooperate with the running gear and elliptical springs in sti'ening the vehicle and in increasing the easy riding nioveineut and motion thereof. lt will be noted that the rear portions of these springs can be curved'or deflected upwardly to generally coliform to the curvati'lre of the upper halves of the elliptical springs. Advantages are also attained by suspending the coiled springs from the side springs at the tops of the elliptical springs just in rear of the vertical plane of tlielongitudinal axis of the axle. v

Thearrangement, wherein the front end of the bodyis pivotally coupled to the running gear and the rear portion of the body is carried by the 'spring-supported depend ing coiled springs, is such 'as to overcome and eliminate the objectionable horse inotion so common in two wheeled vehicles,

"and, to impart an exceedingly easy and pleasant riding motion to the body when tacle with one section hanging at the front thereof, about as disclosed in my prior PatentNo. 923,278, June1, 1909, although in the present iniproveinentrthe vbox is rigid with and carried solely by the body, and

' has a supplemental lower receptaclewith a rear openingv and door. If so desired, the box `which forms part of the body, can have" sheet metal lwalls braced by heavy inetal corner pieces and posts and `if so desired by internal sills. The platform 'consists `of cross planks c. traversing the under edges of top longitudinal sills al, and at their bottom faces traversed by metal strips 'or bars e. The bars e, planks c, and sills d, are rigidly secured together by vertical bolts A worn plank can be readily removed by removing the bolts f, passing therefrom and then knocking the planks endwise from between the metal strips c, and the top sills. A new plank can then be inserted endwise and bolted in place. The platform can be extended and curved upwardly and forwardly to form the front end of the body and the front wall of the box and to receive the coupling clevises hereinbefore described. The front wall thus formed can be faced with sheet metal if so desired.

In Figs. 2 and 5, I show a platform 7L, about as described in connection with Fig. l, without the front box but formed with an upwardly extending transverse arch L, to accommodate the axle. This arch extends up in a seat base 7a2, formed on the central portion of the body. This base 7a2, carries a seat k3, and the seat is pivoted at one end-see -to swing rearwardly and horizontally to permit entrance into the body from the rear. A stop fr, and a lock 71.6, can be provided to normally hold the seat in operative position.

In Fig. 8, I show an inclosed covered body z' having side and front windows and a rear door t, can be provided with a cushion 2, to form a back support, when the door is closed, for the driver when seated on a stool or seat in the body. In this form the body is also elevated so as to require an arch to pass over the axle and permit the free up and down movement of the body independently thereof. In Fig. 1l, I also show an inclosed covered body 712, having side and front windows and a rear open end. The rear end Zo, of the platform of the body is depressed to form a low platform on which the driver can stand with head room under the cover. This body is arranged to permit the driver' to readily and easily step therefrom and thereinto. In this construction the platform is also provided with an arch 7c over the axle.

It is evident that various changes might be resorted to in the forms, constructions and arrangements of the parts described, that parts might be omitted or features added without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to theexact disclosures hereof but consider myself entitled to all such changes as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is;

l. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a running gear, a vertically swingable body at its front end hinged to a forward portion o f said gear to swing on a transverse axis and in rear of its front end having a bottom cross bar l2 projecting at its ends beyond the body sides, and body-sustaining vertically disposed retractive coiled springs at their lower ends coupled to said projecting ends of the cross bar and at their upper ends coupled to and sustained by the running gear.

2. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising an axle, thills coupled thereto, vertically disposed expansion springs mounted on the axle, longitudinally arranged verticallyflexible plate springs at their rear endsupheld by and coupled to said expansion springs and at their front ends fixed to said thills, retraction coiled springs depending from and sustained by said plate springs and expansion springs, a vertically swingable body coupled to and sustained by said depending coiled springs, and means coupling the forward end of said body to said thills to rock on a transverse axis.

3. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a running gear having a wheeled axle and a forwardly extending draft frame, a vertically swingable body, depending spring supports therefor applied thereto in rear of the axle, and a hinge connection between the forward end of the body and said draft frame comprising rearwardly extending eyes rigid with the draft frame, vertacilly arranged clevises rigid with the front end of the body and having vertical series of transverse bolt holes, and removable pivot pins adapted to said eyes and holes and forming the transverse axis 0n which the body is vertically rockable.

d. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a wheeled axle, thills coupled thereto, longitudinally arranged plates lixed to said thills and having transverse eyes at their rearwardly projecting ends, a body at its forward end having vertically arranged clevises to receive said eyes, and vertically adjustable pivot bolts to couple together the eyes and clevises and form a transverse axis on which the body is rockable, and spring devices yieldingly upholding the body.

5. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a wheeled axle, thills coupled thereto, cross means rigidly securing the thills together, longitudinal bars secured to said cross means, a vertically swingable body, means hinging the front end of said body to the rear ends of said longitudinal bars, and depending body supporting springs arranged in rear of the axle.

6. A two wheeled vehicle comprising a wheeled axle, thills coupled thereto, side springs mounted on the axle, plate springs fixed thereto and extending forwardly therefrom and at their front ends fixed to said thills, a body freely movable independently of said axle, pivotal vertically-adjustable coupling means between said body and said thills, and depending body-sustaining coiled springs.

7. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a.

wheeled axle, thills extending ,forwardly Etherefrom, elliptical springs mountedon'the axle, vertically-flexible side connections'from l thel elliptical springs toy forward portions of the thills, a vertically disposed body, vertically disposed coiled body-sustaining springs at their lower ends coupled to the lower rear portion ofthe body, and sustaining loops applied to the upper ends oi' said coiled springs and straddling said elliptical springs torinaintain the coiled springs against lateral deflection.

8. A two-wheeled `vehicle comprising a wheeled axle, forwardly extending thills, vertically disposed expansion springs mounted 'on the axle, longitudinal plate springs at their rear ends fixed to and sustained by said expansion springs and at their front ends ixedly coupled with said thills, a vertically swingable body at its forward end pivotally coupled with said thills, and vertically disposed body-sustaining coiled springs at their upper ends hung from the rear ends of said plate springs and at their lower ends `coupled to said body in rear oi' the axle.

9. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a running gear, a vertically swingable body, means hinging the front end of the body to an elevated forward portion of the ruiming gear comprising a transverse axis vertically adjustable with respect to the body to raise and lower the `liront of the body, and spring supports for the body applied thereto in ythe rear of the forward ends and hung from the running gear.

Llamas 10. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a wheeledaxle, thills coupled thereto, upright springs fixed to and rising from said axle, longitudinal plate springs at their rear ends secured to and upheld by said' upright springs and at their front ends secured to said thills, retractive coiled springs hung from and supported by said upright and longitudinal springs and depending therefrom, a vertically swingable body attached 'to the lower ends of said coiled springs and upheld thereby, and means hinging the front end of said body by a vertically-adjustable transverse axis to said elevated front portions of the thills.

11. A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a wheeled axle, side springs lixed thereon and rising therefrom, thills coupled to said axle, longitudinally arranged vertically iexible plate springs at their rear ends coupled on and upheld by said side springs and at their front ends fixed to said thills in advance of the vehicle body, a body freely movable vertically independently of said axle and at its free end pivotally joined to said thills to rock on a transverse axis, and depending coiled springs supported by said plate and side springs and at their lower ends connected to said body to uphold the saine.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature. in presence ot' two witnesses.

VIRGL C. KOONS.

Witnesses:

JOHN Moirn'r'r. `J. H. CAswnLL.

`Uopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by` addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

